Hosta

(Hostaceae)

Interesting Information About Plant:

Hostas are grown for their beauty. They are extremely popular in gardens all over the United States. There are about 2500 different hostas in the world today. They are part of the Lily Family and have similar flowers to that of lilies. Some hostas can be a few inches wide to a few feet wide. Usually a hosta reaches maturity at five to eight years of age.

Hostas started out in China, Korea and Japan and were brought to the United states in the 1800’s. The leaves of the Plantain Lily, which is the common name for hostas, can be many colors. The blue ones only appear blue because of the waxy coating on the leaves. This wax eventually melts away.

Hostas grow best in a soil with the PH of 6.5 to 7.5.This is a little alkaline and a little acidic. A fertilizer of 10-10-10 is recommended for the best growth. Dividing hostas is a good way to multiply the plants you have. Some pests of this plant are snails and slugs, although some hosta plants have evolved to resist them. Hostas are extremely pretty and would make a fine addition to any ones yard or garden.

Scientific Name: Hostaceae

Family Name (Scientific and Common): Liliaceae, Lily family

Continent of Origin: Asia

Plant Growth Habit: Upright Herbaceous 

Height at Maturity: Between 1- 3 Feet

Life Span: Perennial

Seasonal Habit: Evergreen Perennial 

Growth Habitat: Shade

Manner of Culture: Garden (flower)  

Thorns on Younger Stem: No

Cross Section of Younger Stem: Roundish   

Stem (or Trunk) Diameter: Less Than The Diameter of a Pencil  

Produces Brownish Bark: No

Bark Peeling in Many Areas: No

Characteristics of Mature (Brownish) Bark: No Mature Bark (all green)

Type of Leaf: Thick, Fleshy Leaf

Length of Leaf (or Leaflet): Longer Than a Writing Pen

Leaf Complexity: Simple 

Edge of Leaf: Smooth 

Leaf Arrangement: Alternate 

Leaf has Petiole: Yes 

Patterns of Main-Veins on Leaf (or Leaflet): Parallel 

Leaf Hairiness: No Hairs

Color of Foliage in Summer: Green 

Change in Color of Foliage in October: Changes to Yellow   

Flowering Season: Summer  

Flowers: in Loose Group    

Type of Flower: Colorful Flower

Color of Flower: White, Blue, and Purple-Violet 

Shape of Individual Flower: Radially Symmetrical 

Size of Individual Flower: Between a Quarter and the Length of a Credit Card

Sexuality: Male and Female on Same Plant

Size of Fruit: Smaller than a Quarter

Fruit Fleshiness: Fleshy

Shape of Fruit: Spherical    

Color of Fruit at Maturity: Red    

Fruit Desirable to Birds or Squirrels: Yes   

Common Name(s): Plantain Lily

Louisville Plants That Are Most Easily Confused With This One: Bronze Bells

Unique Morphological Features of Plant: None

Poisonous: None of Plant

Pestiness (weedy, hard to control): No

Page prepared by:        

Amanda Dalton                                   

November 2004